Blog

1. Ahobilam: A place in Andhra Pradesh where the Lord killed Hiranyakasipu and saved Prahlad. The Lord washed His hands herewhich were stained with blood after He killed Hiranyakashipu (pond is still red today and known as rakta kunda; stones there are known as Rakta Kunda silas). Nine forms of Lord Nrsimhadev are worshipped. According to the Caitanya-Caritamrita, Lord Caitanya Himself visited Ahobilam. The nine forms are-

• Bhargava Nrsimha- located near a scared pond where Bhargava Ram performed penance

• Yogananda Nrsimha – Lord Nrsimha taught Bhakta Prahlad several yogic postures

• Chatravata Nrsimha – the Deity is installed under a peepal tree; “Chatra”- umbrella “Vad” means banyan tree)

• Ahobila Nrsimha- the Lord here appears in his fierce aspect, called Ugra Nrsimha

• Krodakara/Varaha Nrsimha- theDeity has the face of a boar

• Karanja Nrsimha- the deity is installed under a tree, called ‘Karanja Vruksham‘

• Malola Nrsimha- the Deity here appears in a graceful form and is seen with His consort, Lakshmi; ‘Malola‘ means beloved to Lakshmi (Ma=Lakshmi, Lola= beloved)

• Jwala Nrsimha- the fierce anger of the Lord reached its culmination when he tore Hiranyakashipu

• Pavana Nrsimha- located on the banks of the river Pavana

2. Nrsimhapalli: Aplace in Godruma, near Mayapur, India. Lord Nrsimhadev came here after killing Hiranyakasipu and blessing Prahlad Maharaj. In Nrsimhapalli Nrsimhadeva took full bath and rested for a long time. Hundreds of demigods came here to perform worship of Lord Nrsimha. Visvakarma built a palace for Lord Nrsimha and hundreds of palaces for the demigods. Over years the Mandakini river changed its course and the palaces got covered over. Presently only hills mark the places where these palaces were once located. A very ancient Deity of Nrsimhadeva, said to date back to Satyayuga (over three million years ago) self-manifested, with a decapitated Hiranyakashipu. Prahlad Maharaja is taking shelter directly under the foot of Lord Nrsimha.

3. Nira Narasinghpur: A place four hours away from Pune. The Deity is extremely unique. While bathing in the Bhima river Prahlad shaped out Nrsimhadeva from sand with his own hands. Today, to help the sand keep intact diamond powder is smeared all over the deity.

4. Simhachalam: In Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. This one of the eighteen “Naarasimha Kshetras. This is the second richest temple in India (after Tirupati). It is the abode of Varaha Nrsimha Swami. The Deity gives darshan for only 12 hours in a year i.e. on Akshaya Tritiya day (Candanayatra in May). The rest of the time the Deity is covered with sandalwood paste as the Ugra form is very angry and needs to be cooled down.

5. Mangalagiri: A place inIn Andhra Pradesh, India; translates into “holy hill”. The Deity is Sri Panakala Lakshmi Nrsimha. Jaggery water is offered to Lord Nrsimhadev every day. The Lord drinks the offering and a gargling sound is clearly audible. The incredible observation to be made is that in spite of so much sweet jaggery water that is used at the temple for the offering, not a single ant is traceable near the Lord or the temple. Maharaj Yudhishtira installed the main deity in this temple. The foot prints of Caitanya Mahaprabhu can be seen here.

6. Hampi: A place in Karnataka where the Lord is sitting on the coil of a giant seven-headed snake. The Lord sits in a cross-legged Yoga position with a belt supporting the knees. The original statue contained the image of goddess Lakshmi on His lap.

7. Parikkal: Located in Tamil Nadu. While generally, Lord Nrsimha is seen embracing Sri Mahalakshmi sitting on His lap, this is the only temple where the Lord and Mother are seen embracing each other. This is to show that Lord Nrsimha has shed His fury and graces devotees with all mercy.

8. Singri: Located in Tamil Nadu. Here Lord Nrsimha graces in a huge form with 16 hands in the sanctum sanctorum along with Yoga Nrsimha and Balanrsimha in small forms. It is rare to see three Nrsimhas in a single shrine.

9. Singaperumal Kovil: Located in Tamil Nadu. The rays of Sun fall on Lord Nrsimha’s feet in winter. Generally Lord Nrsimha graces sitting with His left leg folded and the right leg down. Here He graces with His right leg folded and left leg down.

10. Poovarasankuppam: Located in Tamil Nadu. The main deity of this temple is LakshmiNrsimha Swamy. A unique feature here is the posture of the divine Mother Mahalakshmi, who is seated on the lap of Lord Nrsimha. One eye of this Goddess is towards the Lord and the other eye is affectionately towards devotees. Also, interestingly the deities of Lord Nrsimha and Goddess Lakshmi (seated on Lord Nrsimha’s lap) are of same height at this temple.

11. Yadagirigutta: A temple located in Telangana.Jwala Nrsimha (the Lord of flame), Ghandabheranda Nrsimha (without an image) and Yoga Nrsimha are all worshipped here. In His form of Yoga Nrsimha, the Lord grants healing, both physical and of spiritual benefit, to His sincere aspirants.

12. Nrsimha Zarna: Located in Karnataka, India. This is a cave temple having a self-manifested deity. A perennial stream of water flows constantly and one has to to walk through waist deep water through a tunnel to have darsan of the Lord.

13. Kadiri: Located in In Andhra Pradesh. The Lord appeared from the roots of khadri tree and has eight arms. Sweat oozes from the Deity’s body even after daily abhishek (bath).

14. Vadapalli: This is theplace where the Lord manifested His Ugra form to Vyasadev. The Deity breathes in and out even today. Two lamps are kept- one lamp close to the face of the Lord quivers due to His breathing.

15. Agiripalli: Located in Andhra Pradesh. Has a Deity of Vyagra Nrsimha. A Deity of Laxmidevi is also installed to ensure that the Lord does not get angry again.

16. Dharmapuri: Located in Tamil Nadu. This is the place where Ugra Nrsimha went to cool His temper after killing the demon Hiranyakasipu. The Lord went into a deep meditation with yoga mudra, thereby getting His name of Yoga Nrsimha.

17. Antarvedi: This is one among the thirty-two most reputed Nrsimha Kshetras of Andhra Pradesh. It has a famous temple of Sri Lakshmi Nrsimha Swamy. The unique feature of the Deity is that it is facing towards West instead of East, the usual direction.

18. Singarayakonda: Located in Andhra Pradesh. Singa- lion; konda- hill. The Deity of Varaha Nrsimha resides here.

19. Namakkal: Located in Tamil Nadu. After being pacified by Prahlad Maharaj, the Lord assumed the form of a Shanta Nrsimha saligrama in the Gandaki river. Lakshmi devi was upset and wanted to have association of the Lord again and thus performed penances in Kamalalayam (Namakkal). Here Sri Mahalakshmi’s prayers made Nrsimhadev calm.

20. Korukonda: Located in Andhra Pradesh.The presiding deity here is Lord Sri Nrsimha Swamy. Here at Korukonda, the Lord is known as “Satvika Nrsimha”, because he is accompanied here by his consort, Lakshmi Devi.

21. Matapalli: Located in Telangana.The Presiding Deities are Sri Yogananda Lakshmi Nrsimha Swamy, Sri Raajyalakshmi Thaayar and Sri Chenchu Lakshmi Thaayar. There is a belief that incurable diseases will be cured and the evil spirits will be driven out and all desires will be fulfilled by the Lord if one stays in Mattapalli for 11 days and 11 nights and performs 32 pradakshinams thrice a day with wet clothes having bathed in the Krishna river each time.

22. Vedadri: Located inAndhra Pradesh.Here the Lord exists in five different forms known as Pancha Nrsimha Moorthy, namely- Jwala Nrsimha on the mountains, Shaligram Nrsimha in the River Krishnaveni, Yogananda Nrsimha, Lakshmi Nrsimha and Veera Nrsimha.

23. Melkote: Located in Karnataka.The temple houses a Deity of Nrsimha in a seated position with the Yogapatta. The temple is considered to be one of the seven holy centers devoted to the worship of Nrsimha. One of the most famous beliefs about the temple is that the deity was installed by Prahalad Maharaj himself.

24. Nandgram: Mother Yasoda would bind Krishna with Nrsimha bija mantras for protection. Krishna would sometimes joke saying that He Himself is Nrsimhadeva to scare the gopis. Krishna would also scratch them with His nails.

25. Jagannath Puri: The Nrsimha temple is located in Puri just behind the Gundicha temple. There are two deities of Lord Nrsimha one behind the other. It is an ancient temple, with locals stating that Lord Nrsimha manifested here before Lord Jagannath and His temple. Shantha Nrsimha (peaceful) is in the front. Shantha Nrsimha has human-like features: a sharp nose, curvy moustache and an outstretched tongue. By seeing Shantha Nrsimha one will feel cool and relaxed; all anger, anxiety and frustration will vanish. Once a Muslim marauder named Kalapahad ransacked Puri and broke many Deities. Upon seeing Shantha Nrsimha, his anger subsided and he did not touch the Deity. The Deity behind is Ugra Nrsimhadeva. He is in the angry mood of Nrsimha, which is not usually seen and may be seen only with the help of the pujari’s lamp.

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=45708